Stud alinement tool



Jan. 31, 1961 E. BRAVO STUD ALINEMENT TOOL Filed Feb.

INVENTOR EDWARD BRAVO BY ram/ ATTORNEVS.

United States Patent (3 STUD ALINEMENT TOOL Edward Bravo, 1110 Scott Drive, Valley Stream, N.Y. Filed Feb. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 791,474

2 Claims. (Cl. 145-1) This invention relates to improvements in a tool for holding wooden members in selected position relative to each other while they are being toe-nailed together. The tool is particularly suitable for use in the carpentry operations involved in securing a stud to a sill or header.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool comprises a flat plate which is adapted to be placed upon the upper plate of the sill as an example. This plate has a first depending flange which is adapted to abut one side of the sill.

A second plate extends upwardly from the first plate at right angles thereto and also extends cross-wise of the sill. The stud is adapted to be placed against the second plate, in proper position to be toe-nailed to the sill. A further alining flange connects with the second plate at right angles thereto, so that said second plate and said second flange about adjacent faces of the stud.

An important object of this invention is .to provide improved means for releasably anchoring the first plate to the sill so as to prevent the tool from shifting its position while the stud is being toe-nailed to the sill.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an improved tool of the above-described type which is adapted for measurement of a selected standard distance between successive studs.

Another important object of my invention is to provide improved means for bracing the second plate at right angles to the first plate.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention, a pair of upstanding ears having alined openings extend upwardly from the sides of said first plate at the end thereof which is remote from said second plate. A cross rod extends turnably through said alined openings. A further rod is aflixed to the cross rod and extends generally from said first rod toward the second plate. The free end of the second rod is bent downwardly and is provided with a sharp pointed bottom end. A hole is provided in the bottom plate, and the point of the second rod is adapted to be extended through the hole and forced into the sill, thereby releasably anchoring the tool in place. It is easy to secure the pointed end of the anchoring rod in place in the sill with one or two sharp blows of a hammer. It is also extremely simple, by means of a hammer or lever, to raise the second rod so as to with draw its point from the sill when the tool is to be released.

As an important feature of the invention, the anchoring rod assembly is releasable and replaceable from the tool when the point of the anchoring rod becomes dull.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which a preferre embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

The drawing is a perspective view of my improved tool, showing the tool in full lines with respect to a sill and a stud. The tool is also shown in broken lines in a position for measuring purposes. The drawing is substantially to scale of a working model of my invention, and reference is made to the drawing to complete the disclosure herein.

Upon reference to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that it shows the tool used, by way of example, to secure spaced studs 11a and 11b to a sill 9. Stud 11b is shown toe-nailed to sill 9 by means of nail 8, and the tool and stud 11a are shown in position for toe-nailing stud 11a to sill 9.

The tool includes a flat base plate 10 which is adapted to rest upon sill 9 and which is preferably elongated in the direction of length of sill 9. The major axis of plate 10 is defined as its longitudinal axis. Optionally, the width of plate 10 is selected to be the same as the width of standard 2" x 4" sills.

Flange 13 extends longitudinally and depends from base plate 10 at right angles thereto. Flange 13 is preferably integral with plate 10. Flange 13 is adapted to abut a side face of sill 9.

Alining plate 15 extends laterally and also extends upwardly from base plate 10 at a first end edge thereof. Alining plate 15 is at right angles to base plate 10 and is preferably integral therewith and of the same width. A further flange 14 connects with plate 15 at one vertical edge thereof and is preferably integral therewith. Preferably, flanges 13 and 14 are co-planar. Said flange 14 and said plate 10 extend in opposite longitudinal directions from plate 15. Stud 11a is adapted to be placed upon sill 9 with respect adjacent faces of stud 11a abutting alining plate 15 and flange 14. It will be apparent without further discussion that my improved tool alines stud 11a in its generally accepted nailing position with respect to sill 9.

As an important feature of the invention, plate 15 and flange 14 are of relatively great height. In the working model, the length of these elements was approximately eight inches. Accordingly, as an important feature of the invention, means are provided for ensuring in a positive manner the alining plate 15 will remain at right angles to base plate 10 while stud 11a is being toe-nailed to sill 9. In this connection, a further vertically extending flange 19 connects with the vertical edge of plate 15 opposite to the edge to which flange 14 is connected. Flange 19 is preferably integral with plate 15. Flange 19 extends at approximately a forty-five degree angle with respect to plate 15 and also extends over base plate 10. The lower edge of flange 19 preferably abuts base plate 10. a 1

As a further important feature of the invention, improved means are provided for releasably anchoring base plate 10 to sill 9. Upstanding and opposing ears 7 extend upwardly from the longitudinal side edges of base plate '10 at the second end thereof (the end which is remote from alining plate 15). A laterally extending rod 6 extends turnably through alined bearing apertures 7a in the respective ears 7. The respective ends of rod 6 protrude outwardly of ears 7 and are screw-threaded at 6a. A threaded cap nut 5, shown in exploded position in the drawing, is screwed to each threaded portion 6a of rod 6.

Anchoring rod 4 is fixed to the center of rod 6, by any suitable means (not shown) and extends at right angles thereto. Said rod 6 is adapted to be turned so as to dispose rod 4 in the position of the drawing in which said rod 4 extends generally longitudinally and extends from rod 6 toward base plate 15. The free end portion 4a of rod 4 is turned at approximately right angles thereto and extends downwardly therefrom in the position of rod 4 shown in the drawing. Said rod portion 4a has a sharpened point or tip 4b. In the position of the drawing, this point or tip 41: is alined with a hole 10a in base plate 10. i

In operation, with the tool placed upon sill 9 'in 'se-'' lected position one or two sharp blows of a hammer are struck upon rod 4, preferably at a point thereof in approximate alinement with rod portion 4a, so as to drive point or tip 4b into sill 9 with rod portion 4a extending through hole 10a. With stud 11a alined in its previously described manner and as shown in the drawing, one or more nails 8 may be toe-nailed through stud 11a and into sill 9, on the side of stud 11a which is opposite plate 15. The drawing shows stud 111) thus toe-nailed by means of nail 8 to sill 9 prior to the toe-nailing of stud 11a in place.

The provision of flange 19 prevents alining plate 15 from being bent toward base plate 10 during the toe-nailing operation. The position of rod 4b in sill 9 prevents any shifting of position of the tool during the toe-nailing operation.

As an important feature of the invention, if point 4b becomes dull, it is only necessary to remove cap nuts 5 from the ends of rod 6 and to remove the rod assembly. A new rod assembly may then be mounted upon the tool in the manner shown in the drawing.

As an important feature of the invention, the rod point 411 may be readily removed from sill 9 by inserting the claw of a hammer, a lever or the like, under the main portion of rod 4 and by prying it away from plate 10.

i As another important feature of the invention, it does not matter if there is normally a slight amount of play between rod 6 and the edges of the bearing openings 7a. This is because the rod portion 4a is at a slight obtuse angle with respect to the vertical when tip 411 rests loosely upon sill 9, so that the rod portion 4a tends to be moved forwardly as well as downwardly when it is hammered into position. This tends to move rod 6 forwardly into frictional engagement with the forward portions of the edges of openings 7a, thereby eliminating any play of rod 6 within the openings 7a while stud 11a is being toenailed to sill 9.

As a further important feature of the invention, since the anchoring means is not secured in any way directly to the underside of plate 10, any distortion of rod 4 or of point 4b does not effect the accuracy of the tool as an alining device.

As a further important feature of the invention, since the anchoring rod 4 and plate are entirely different pieces, plate 10 may be made of any suitable material for alining purposes without concern as to the appropriateness of the material for anchoring purposes. 0n the other hand, rod 4 may be made of any suitable hardened material which is appropriate for maximum sharpness of point 4b and for minimum distortion of rod 4 when it is hammered into sill 9 or when it is removed from engagement with sill 9.

As a further important feature of the invention, the length of plate 10 is optionally and preferably equal to one-half of the desired distance on centers between studs 11a and 11b, less the thickness of these studs. In other words, if in the construction of a particular house or the like, the desired standard distance on centers between studs lla and 11b is sixteen inches, and if the thickness of studs 11a or 11b is 1% inches (the usual thickness of a so-called 2" x 4"), then the length of the tool is 7%; inches. After stud 11b has been secured in place, it is possible to place plate 10 upon sill 9, with the second lateral end edges of plate 10 (adjacent ears 7) abutting the face of stud 11b which is proximate to the next stud which is to be secured in place.

A pencil line may then be drawn on sill 9 along the first lateral end edge of plate 10. Plate 10 may then be placed in the position shown in the drawing on sill 9 with its second lateral end edge abutting the pencil line. Stud 11a is then automatically spaced the standard distance from stud 11b. The device. is thus readily suitable for use for measuring purposes, while still being of appropriate length for use under conditions when the dis tance between studs must be less than sixteen inches on center. a

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, and have indicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made in the invention, without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A tool for positioning a stud on a sill, comprising a base plate having a longitudinal axis and lateral ends and adapted to be supported on a sill with said longitudinal axis extending in the direction of length of said sill, an alining plate connected to a first lateral end of said base plate and extending laterally and also upwardly from said base plate and adapted to receive a stud against the outer face thereof, a bracing plate fixedly connected to one of the upright edges of said alining plate and extending at an acute angle to said aligning plate over said base plate, said bracing plate and alining plate being substantially coextensive, the lower edge of said bracing plate substantially abutting said base plate, an anchoring rod, and means mounting said anchoring rod upon the upper face of said base plate adjacent the second lateral end thereof so that said anchoring rod is turnable about a lateral axis and extends transversely to said axis, said plate having a hole between said alining plate and said mounting means, said anchoring rod being adapted to be turned so as to extend from said mounting means toward said hole, said anchoring rod having a free end portion which is inclined relative thereto for extension through said hole when said anchoring rod extends from said anchoring means toward said hole, said rod free end portion having a sharpened tip which is adapted to be driven into said sill to anchor said tool upon said sill.

2. A tool for positioning a stud on a sill, comprising a base plate having a longitudinal axis and lateral ends and adapted to be supported on a sill with said longitudinal axis extending in the direction of length of said sill, an alining plate connected to a first lateral end of said base plate and extending laterally and also upwardly from said base plate and adapted to receive a stud against the outer face thereof, a bracing plate fixedly connected to one of the upright edges of said alining plate and extending at an acute angle to said alining plate over said base plate, said bracing plate and aligning plate being substantially coextensive, the lower edge of said bracing plate substantially abutting said base plate, an anchoring rod, and means mounting said anchoring rod upon the upper face of said base plate adjacent the second lateral end thereof so that said anchoring rod is turnable about a lateral axis and extends transversely to said axis, said mounting means comprising upstanding and longitudinally extending ears mounted upon said base plate adjacent the sides thereof, said ears having laterally alined apertures, a cross rod turnably received within said apertures, said anchoring rod being connected to said cross rod between said ears, said plate having a hole between said alining plate and said cross rod, said cross rod being adapted to be turned so that said anchoring rod extends from said cross rod toward said hole, said anchoring rod having a free end portion which is inclined relative thereto for extension through said hole when said anchoring rod extends form said cross rod toward said hole, said rod free end portion having a sharpened tip which is adapted to be driven into said sill to anchor said tool upon said sill.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Clark Jan. 8, 1957 

